Use of certain polyenes as coloring agents

ABSTRACT

COLORING COMPOSITIONS FOR FOODSTUFFS, PHARMACEUTICAL PREPARATIONS AND COSMETIC PREPARATIONS CONTAINING OTHERS OF POLYENE DIKETO COMPOUNDS.

United States Patent '0 3,659,024 USE OF CERTAIN POLYENES AS COLORING AGENTS Ulrich Manz, Basel, and Ulrich Schwieter, Reinach, Switzerland, assignors to Holfmann-La Roche Inc., Nutley,

Int. (:1. A61k7/00, 27/00 US. Cl. 424-358 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Coloring compositions for foodstuifs, pharmaceutical preparations and cosmetic preparations containing ethers of polyene diketo compounds.

CROSS I REFERENCE TO RELATED- APPLICATIONS This application is a divisional application of US. application Ser. No. 609,312, filed Jan. 16, 1967, ,Manz et al., now US. Pat. No. 3,539,643, issued Nov. 10, 1970.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to coloring agents and the use of these coloring agents in coloring materials such as foodstuffs, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics. This invention also relates to a method of producing these coloring agents including intermediates in the preparation thereof.

Of the pigments of natural or synthetic origin which are suitable for coloring foodstuffs, S-carotene and the apocarotenals derived from natural pigments have been found to be particularly useful. However, various disadvantages impose a limit on the general use of these pigments. This is seen by the fact that the color tones achieved with these pigments lie within a relatively narrow range which extends from yellow-orange to yellow red.

Intermediate tones, can of course, be obtained by mixing various components. However, such mixtures of pigments are not color-constant when, as is frequently the case, the individual components are unstable or differentially stable. These pigments also vary their color with increasing dilution. In the case of carotene, for example, an undesirable color-shift to a pale yellow is observed with decreasing concentration. The desired saturated tints may often only be achieved by high concentrations,'which are associated with high costs and are therefore uneconomical.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION The present invention is concerned with polyene compounds of the general formula:

in which R represents hydrogen or a lower alkyl group and A is either CEC or -CH=CH, and process for their production which are utilized as coloring agents for foodstuifs, pharmaceutical and cosmetic preparations.

The substituents in the formula shown above which are designated as lower alkyl are lower alkyl residues ice having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms such as methyl, ethyl, isopropyl.

The process in accordance with the invention where the polyene dialdchyde compounds of the Formula I above was prepared, is carried out by reacting a dialdehyde of the formula:

with at least 2 moles of a compound of the general formula:

O R III in which R has the significance given above, with the help of an alkaline condensation agent in the presence of an inert solvent and, if desired, the product obtained partially hydrogenated at the triple bond and isomerized.

Of the products of Formula I and the polyene compounds manufacturable therefrom by partial hydrogenation and isomerization,

-2,6,l0,14,l9,23,27,31 octamethyl-2,3 l-dimethoxy-dotriaconta 4,6,8,10,12,14,l8,20,22,24,26,28 dodecaen-16- yne-3,30-dione which imparts to foodstuffs, pharmaceutical and cosmetic preparations an intensive Bordeauxred color,

as well as .and cosmetic preparations a violet color, are especially valuable.

It has now been found the polyene compounds of the Formula I above, including the partially hydrogenated products, possess a Bordeaux-red to violet color. They accordingly enrich the small palette of the physiologically inoffensive foodstuif-pigments. The compounds are stable in known use forms and they are distinguished from other materials with related color properties in that the tint is not influenced by the concentration. Surprisingly, the solutions of these substances retain their color character unaltered even in strong dilution. The compounds of Formula I are accordingly suitable in an outstanding manner for coloring foodstuffs, pharmaceutical and cosmetic preparations.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION The coloring agents of Formula I above, in accordance with this invention, can be used to color any conventional foodstuif including beverages, fruits, vegetable preserves, marmalades, cream foods, confectionery, edible fats, cheese, fish products, pasta, soup powders, etc. Any conventional pharmaceutical preparation can be colored by compounds Formula I. Among the typical pharmaceutical preparations which can be colored in accordance with this invention are included drages, suppositories, gelatin capsules and syrups. Also any conventional cosmetic preparation can be colored with the compounds of Formula I above. Among the conventional cosmetic preparations which can be colored in accordance with this invention are included, toothpaste, skin creams, lipsticks and non-alcoholate mouthwashes.

Y Incoloringrmaterials such as foodstuffs, cosmetic and pharmaceutical preparations, the compounds of Formula I above should be added to the material in an amount sufficient to impart a color to the material. Generally, it is preferred .that the foodstuif, pharmaceutical ,and' cosmetic preparation contain from about 0.0000001. partby ,weightto aboutl part by Weight of, compound-of Formula Labovebased on the weight of thefoodstufl, phat.- maceutical and cosmetic. preparation. .Itis suitable to make the amount of compounds of Formula I to be added dependent on the nature of the preparations to be colored. Thus, for coloring foodstuffs, it is advantageous to add from about 0.0000001 part by Weight to about 0.0001 part by weightof compound of Formula Ibasedomthe weight of the preparation '(eg. about 0.000002 part by weight to about 0.000005 part by weight are used for coloring beverages, such as carbonated beverages, about 0.09001 part by weight to about'0 .000025 part weight are usedfor coloring ice creams, confectioneryctc and 0.00001 part by weight to about 0.00005 part by weight are used for coloring yoghur'ts). In the cosmetic field preferably about 0.0000001 part by weight to about 0.05 part by weight of compound of Formula I are used based on the Weight of the cosmetic preparation (e.g. from about 0.001 part by weight to about 0.05 part by weight are used for coloring lipsticks and from about 0.0000001 part by Weightto about 0.00002 part'by weight are used for coloring creams, such as skin creams, toothpaste, etc). Rharmaceutical preparations, such as s'uppositories andsyrups preferably contain from about 0.000005 part by Weightto about 0.001 part by weight based on the weight .of the preparation. In case of coloring dragees, the coating suite ably contains from about 0.001 mg. to about 0.1 mg. of compound of Formula ;I per cm; surface of the drages. Although greater amounts than .the parts by .weightof the compound of LFOImuIa I specified above can beincorporated into the foodstuff, pharmaceuticalor cosmetic preparation, however, these high amounts are seldom utilized since no additional benefits, as far as color is concerned, is obtained by utilizing such large amounts of the compounds of Formula I above. a Y 1 The polyene compounds of Formula I can be employed for coloring foodstuffs, pharmaceutical and cosmetic preparations both in the original crystalline form and in a particular Water-soluble form. r The polyene compounds of Formula I above can chiefly be'usediin the crystalline form for coloring fats and oils, as wellas fat containing substances such as, for example,

marzipan, suppositories, lipsticks. The polyene compounds of Formula I above, can, for example, be dissolved in oils without further ado. Prior to the addition of the pigment, hard or soft fats are conveniently liquified by heating. Brushable fats .may also be colored by kneading-in an oilypigment-solutipn. Marzipan, which, for example, is thoroughly kneaded with a solution of the polyene com pound' of Formula ;I in an almond oil, can also be colored in the same way. Colored suppositories and lipsticks can, for example, be manufactured in such a Waythat the polyene compound used as the pigment is stirred into the liquified carrier mass prior to filling into the molds.

For coloring fat-poor or fatless substances, there is generallyused a water-dispersible form of the polyene compounds of Formula I The preparation of these compounds in Water dispersible form can be carried out by tion (together with a stabilizer and a solubilizing or.

emulsifying agent if required, as well as with an animal or vegetable fat if desired) with water in the presence of a protecting colloid and evaporating the emulsion formed to dryness under reduced pressure.

Any conventional organic solvent capable of dissolv- I.

ing the compound of Formula I above, can be utilized,

'Ihese solvents'include volatile halogenated hydrocarbons .such.as, .forexample, .chloroform, carbon tetrachloride, methylene chloride, etc. Any conventional antioxidatively active stabilizers can be utilized. These antioxidants include tocopherols, 2,6 ditert butyl 4 hydroxytoluene [BHT] butyhhydroxyanisole [BHA] The sa1t s-of-fatty acid esters of ascorbic acid (e.g., the sodium saltof ascorbylpalmitate), inter .alia, have been found lto be :active as solubilizing agents. Any of the conventional solubilizing agents can 'be" utilized iniaccordance rwith (this ,invention. Concerning .emulsifying a ntsa c i n iona -emul ty n =a be u l z in accordanc .w th t s int n ion. Th .P y y y derivatives of sorbitan anhydrides partiallyesterified with fatty acids 1 [Twee'ns] or-non-ionogenic derivatives. of fatty compounds with polyoxyethylene derivatives [Cremophores] are, forexampleusable. The protecting colloids in whichthe compounds of Formula Iare'emulsified or dispersed include any of the conventional Water soluble gelable colloids., G,elatin, .dextriu, .pectin, .tragacanth, guar (especially 'in'the presence of saccharose, glycerin, sorbitoll), have, :for example, :been .found 1110 .be useful as protecting polloids. The color brilliance .ofthe aqueous solutions can be increased by the addition .of any animal fat (e.g., beef tallow) or vegetable oil (e.g., groundnut oil).

The linkage or condensation of the compounds of Formula II above, and III above, .to produce .a compound in accordance with Formula I above, is carried out in an inert solvent in the presence of an alkali condensation agent. In carrying out this condensation reaction, temperature and pressure are not critical and the reactions can be carried out at room temperature and atmospheric pressure orlatelevated, temperatures and reduced pressure. If quicker reaction .times are desired, -it is preferred to ,utilize elevated temperatures such as between 40 and 60 .C. Generally in carrying out the condensation reaction, 1 ,mole of a compound of Formula .11 above is condensed with ,2 moles ,of a compound of Formula III above. If desired, a molar excess of the compound of Formula IIIabove can be utilized, that is, i.e., from about 2 moles to about 4 moles of the compound of Formula III per mole of the compound'of Formula II. Generally, more than 4 moles ofthe compound of Formula III per mole of the compound of Formula II aboveare seldom utilized since no additional beneficial results are achieved e eby I Any conventional inert solvent can be utilized in carrying out the condensation reaction of compounds of Formulae I I and III. Typical solvents which can be utilized in accordance with this invention include benzene, toluene, xylene, diinethylformamide, methylene chloride, dichloro-ethylcne, etc. Any conventionalorganic or inorganic alkali can be utilized as the condensation agent in accordance with this invention. Thereby, .alkalis under which may be used alkali metal or alkali earth metal hydroxides. 0f the alkali metal hydroxides which can be utilized in the process of the conversion of potassium hydroxideor sodium hydroxide are preferred.

The condensation of the compounds of Formula II above, with compounds of the formulaIII above, produce a compound of Formula I where A is CE C-. This may be reduced to a compound here A is C-H=CH by any conventional partial hydrogenation technique. For example, the compounds of Formula I above where A is CEC can be catalytically hydrogenated in an inert solvent such as ethyl acetate, toluene tar-petroleum. ether in the presence of a selective hydrogenation catalyst, e.g., a palladium-lead catalyst in the presence of quinoline, of the type disclosed in the publication Helv. Chim. Acta, 35, 446 (1952). However, if desired, the compound of Formula II can be partially hydrogenated in the above manner prior to reaction with compounds of Formula III to reduce the single, bond therein to a double bond.

The 2,6,10,15,19,23-hexamethyl-tetracosa-2,4,6,8,10, l4, 16,l8,20,Z21deCaen-12-yne-1,2,4-dial of FormulaII above,

. which is employed as a starting compound in the processes of this invention, can be manufactured by chain lengthening a suitable lower membered dialdehyde. This chain lengthening is carried out by condensing 1 mole of 2,7-dimethyl-octa-2,6-dien-4-yne-1,8-dial with 2 moles of acetalized 3,7-dimethyl 8-oxo-octa-2,4,6-trienylphosp onium bromide. The condensation compounds of Formulae II and III above which are preferred are 3-methyl-3-hydroxy-Z-butanone and 3-methy1-3-methoxy-2-butanone.

The invention is further illustrated by the following examples.

EXAMPLE 1 (A) Preparation of ether i '175 g. of crude 5-(1-methoxy-1-n1ethylethoxy)-3-methyl-pent-3-en-1-yne are introduced in a rapid stream into a solution of lithium amide in liquid ammonia.

The ammonia-alkaline lithium amide solution can be manufactured as follows:

0.5 g. of finely divided lithium are introduced with stirring into 600 ml. of liquid ammonia. After the addition of 0.5 g. of iron (III) nitrate, compressed air is led into the solution for a few seconds. As soon as the blue color of the solution has disappeared, a further 7.1 g. of finely divided lithium are added. The evaporating ammoniais condensed in a condenser charged with acetone/Dry Ice and led back to the reaction mixture. The mixture is stirred until the blue color disappears [15 to 60 minutes].

The dark clear reaction solution is stirred for 90 minutes, then treated with 170 ml. of dry toluene and immediately subsequently with 114 g. of 3-etho-xy-2-methylacrolein in. a rapid stream and further stirred for 30 minutes.The mixture is subsequently neutralized by the addition of 80 ml. of glacial acetic in 200 ml. of toluene. The acid solution is conveniently added through a dropping funnel of which the exit tube dips into the reaction mixture. The ammonia is evaporated off, with stirring, until the temperature in the reaction vessel has risen to 40 C. The toluene is subsequently distilled off under reduced pressure. The residual 1-ethoxy-8-(l-methoxy-l-methylethoxy)-2,6-dirnethyl-octa-2,6-dien-4 yn-3-ol is a lightbrown oil. U.V. maximum [in ethanol]; 228 m E=18,000; n =1.512O; d=1.002.

The 5-(1-methoxy methylethoxy)-3-methyl-pent-3-enl-yne employed as starting compound can be manufactured as follows: 96 g. of 3-methyl-pent-2-en-4yn-l-ol are, after the addition of 0.5 ml. of percent methyl alcoholic p-toluenesulphonic acid, treated with stirring and cooling at 5 to C. with 79 g. of isopropenyl methyl ether. The acetal is not isolated, but further processed directly.

(B) Preparation of hydroxy compound 270 g. of 1-ethoxy-8-(l-methoxy-l-methylethoxy)-2,6- dimethyl-octa-2,6-dien;4-yn-3-ol are dissolved in 400 ml. of toluene and, with cooling and strong stirring, treated with 50 ml. of 2 percent sulphuric acid and 50 ml. of methanol, in doing which the temperature should not exceed 25 C. The reactionmixture is subsequently stirred at to C. with nitrogen gassing for 2 hours. The toluene phase is separated, washed with 400* ml. of a 10 percent aqueous sodium sulphate solution and subsequently with 400 ml. of a 5 percent sodium hydrogen carbonate solution. The aqueous phases are separated and once more shaken out with 100 ml. of toluene. The combined toluene extracts are concentrated at 50 C. to a volume of 400 ml. The 2,6-dimethyl-8-hydroxy-octa-2,6 dien-4-yn-1-al dissolved in toluene can be acylated without isolation as described hereinafter. The toluene solution can also be completely evaporated and the residue crystallized from dibutyl ether. The 2,6-dimethyl-8-hydroxy-octa-Z,6-dien 4-yn-l-al thus obtained melts at 32- (C) Hydrogenation of ester ;5.0 g. at 2,6 dimethyl-8-hydroxy octa-2,6-dien-4-yne1-al are dissolved in ml. of toluene and, after the addition Cir of 0.4 g. of a palladium/calcium carbonate catalyst deactivated by addition of lead and quinoline [Helv. Chim. Acta 35 (1952), 446], hydrogenated up to the uptake of 1.05 equivalents of hydrogen. The reaction solution, after separation of the catalyst, is successively washed with 0.5 N sulphuric acid, potassium hydrogen carbonate solution and water, then dried over sodium sulphate and treated with a solution of 0.02 g. of iodine in 2 ml. of toluene. The solution is allowed to stand at room temperature for 18 hours and is subsequently successively washed with a 5 percent sodium thiosu'lphate solution and water, then dried over sodium sulphate and evaporated under reduced pressure. The residual 2,6-dimethyl- 8-hydroxy-octa-2,4,6-trien-l-al melts at 70 to 72 C. after recrystallization from ethyl ether/ petroleum ether [boiling range 30 to 40 C.].

(D) Preparation of (3,7-dimethyl-8-oxo-octa-2,4,6-trienyl triphenyl phosphonium bromide A mixture of 10.5 ml. of dimethylformamide and 45 ml. of methylene chloride is treated with stirring at 20 C. with 6.5 ml. of phosphorous tribromide and thereupon within 20 minutes with a solution of 16.6 g. of 8-hydroxy- 2,6-dimethyl-octa-2,4,6-trien-l-al in 25 ml. of methylene chloride. The reaction mixture is stirred at 10 C. for 1 hour, then poured in ice-water and extracted with 300 ml. of ether. The ether extract is washed twice with icewater, three times with ice-cold 10 percent potassium hydrogen carbonate solution and twice with ice-water, briefly dried over sodium sulphate and immediately evaporated under reduced pressure at 20 C. The residual 8-b.romo-2,6-dimethyl-octa 2,4,6-trien 1 al crystallizes after trituration with a little ether. M.P. 68-70 C.; absorption maximum (in petroleum ether) 311 m Without further purification, the unstable compound is immediately dissolved in 50 ml. of methylene chloride and treated with 26 g. of triphenyl-phosphine. In doing so, the solution warms up to boiling. After 1 to 1 /2 hours, 200 ml. of acetic acid ethyl ester are slowly added while scratching with a glass rod. The 3,7-dimethyl-8-oxo-octa-2,4,6-trienyl triphenyl phosphonium bromide crystallizing out 15 filtered off in the cold after standing for 12 hours. M.P. 203-205 0.; absorption maximum (in ethanol) 315 my;

EXAMPLE 2 44 g. of 3-methyl-3-methoxy-2-btitanone are introduced into a solution of 10 g. of 2,6,l0,l5,19,23-hexamethyltetracosa-2,4,6,8,10,14,16,18,20,22-decaen 12 yne-1,24- dial in 500 ml. of methylene chloride and treated dropwise within 2 hours with a solution of 5 g. of potassium hydroxide in 50 ml. of methanol. The reaction mixture is subsequently heated to 50 C. in a nitrogen atmosphere, stirred for 24 hours, then cooled and poured into ice-cold N sulphuric acid. The methylene chloride phase which separates is successively washed with water, with an aqueous sodium hydrogen carbonate solution and again with water, dried over sodium sulphate and evaporated under reduced pressure. The violet 2,6,10,14,19,23,27,31-octamethyl-2,3 l-dimethoxy-dotriaconta 4,'6,8,10,12,14,18,20, 22,24,26,28 dodecaen-16-yne-3,30 dione which remains behind melts at 2172l9 C. after recrystallization twice from methylene chloride/ ethanol; U.V. maxima (in chloroform) 304, 355, 509, 536 (shoulder) mu;

it...=225, 40s, 2450, 1910 The dialdehyde employed as starting compound can be manufactured as follows:

g. of 3,7-dimethyl 8 oxo-octa-2,4,6-trienyl triphenylphosphonium bromide, prepared in Example 1, in ml. of abs. methanol are treated with 20 ml. of orthoformic acid trimethyl ester and a solution of 0 .1 g. of ptoluenesulphonic acid and 0.1 ml. of 85% phosphoric acid in 20 ml. of abs. methanol and allowed to stand at room temperature for 18 hours. The acetal formed which 7 is present in solution is treated with stirring with 5 ml. of pyridine and immediately thereafter simultaneously with a solution of .8 g. of sodium in 200 ml. of abs. methanol and a solution of 16.2 g. of 2,7-dimethyl-octa- 2,6-dien-4-yne1,8-dial in 200 ml. of benzene. The reaction mixture is heated to 50 C. for 4 hours, then diluted with Water and extracted with methylene chloride. The methylene chloride extract is washed neutral, dried over sodium sulphate and evaporated. The crude 2,6,10,15,19, 23 hexamethyl tetracosa 2,4,6,8,10,14,16,18,20,22- decaen-12-yne-1,24-dial tetramethyl acetal which remains behind is dissolved in 400 ml. of acetone and, after the addition of 50 m1. of N sulphuric acid, heated to boiling for 45 minutes. The dialdehyde which precipitates in 'violet crystals on cooling melts at 227-229 C. after recrystallization from methylene chloride/ethanol; U.V. absorption maxima (in chloroform) 274, 325, 485, 517 u;

EXAMPLE 3 10.3 g. 2,'6,1.0,14,19',23,27,31 octamethyl 2,3-dimethoxy dotriaconta 4,6,8,10,12,14,18,20-,22,24,26,28-dodecaen 16 yne-3,30-dione are dissolved in 500 ml. of methylene chloride and, after the addition of 5 g. of a palladium/calcium carbonate catalyst partially poisoned by leadand quinoline-addition, 0.5 ml. of quinoline and 2 ml. of triethyl amine, hydrogenated until no more hydrogen is taken up. The catalyst is filtered 01f. The filtrate is successively Washed with N sulphuric acid, with water, with an aqueous sodium hydrogen carbonate solution and again with water, dried over sodium sulphate, filtered and evaporated under reduced pressure. The residue is dissolved in 500 ml. of acetic acid ethyl ester and, after the addition of 200 mg. of iodine, heated to boiling under lighting with a 500 watt lamp for 3 hours. The 2,6,10,14, 19,23,27,31 octamethyl-2,3 l-dimethoxy-dotriaconta-4,6, 8,10,12,14,16,18,20,22,24,26,28-tridecaen 3,30 dione which precipitates in violet crystals after concentration of the solution to 150 ml. melts at 223-224" C.; U.V. absorption maxima (in carbon disulphide) 556 and 594 dione M.P. 245-24? U.V. absorption maximum (in chloroform 513 m E{Z ,=2950 The use of polyene compounds of Formula I for coloring foodstutfs, pharmaceutical and cosmetic preparations in accordance with the invention can, using a representative member of this class of compounds, be elucidated by the following examples.

EXAMPLE Manufacture of Bordeaux-red colored drages \10,000 drage kernels each of 150 mg. are covered white with sugar syrup,'starch and talc up to a kernel weightof 190 mg.

g. of color-preparation containing 300 mg. of 2,6,10, 14,19,23,27,31-octamethyl 2,31 dimethoxy-dotriaconta- 4,6,8,lO,12,l4,l6,l8,20,22,24,26,28 tridecaen 3,30-dione are soaked with 30 g. of water, combined with a solution from 330 g. of sugar and 135 g. of water which has been heated to boiling and subsequently cooled to 60..

C. andhomogenizedr'l'he violet-colored sugar S0111,- tion is applied little by little to the white-coated drages situated in the rotating coating-kettle, sprayed with cold air. The'drages are polished in the usual manner. The color layer of a drage (weight 220 mg, diameter 1 cm., thickness 3 mm.) contains 0.03 mg. of the pure pigment named above.

The water-soluble preparation employed as color-dis penser can, for example, be manufactured as follows:

1 g. of a polyene compound of Formula I is dissolved in ml. of chloroform and, together with 100 mg. of tocopherol, 2 g. of arachis oil and 2 g. of ascorbyl palmitate, introduced into a solution of 60 g. of gelatin, 35 g. of sugar and 0.5 g. of calcined soda in 250 ml. of water and homogenized. The colored chloroform-containing gelatin emulsion is poured on a metal sheet and sub; sequently dried in vacuum. The dry product is broken into small pieces.

EXAMPLE 6 Manufacture of violet-colored sweets 1 g. of purchasable fondant-composition is homogeneously mixed with a solution of 1.5 g. of color-preparation containing 15 mg. of 2,6,l0,14,19,23,27,31 octa- 7 methyl 2,31 dimethoxy dotriaconta 4,6,8,10,12,14, 16,18,20,22,24,26,28-tridecaen 3,30 dione [manufactured analogously to Example 5] in 5 ml. of water. In order to attain the desired fluidity of the composition, either invert-sugar syrup or powdered sugar is worked in as required. After heating the colored fondant, the violet glaze is applied to the article of confectionery or poured into starched molds. The lemon-yellow fondant fillings solidified in the starched molds are freed of starch dust and covered with chocolate.

EXAMPLE 7 Manufacture of pale violet colored ice cream Manufacture of Bordeaux-red caramels 1.5 g. of color-preparation containing 15 mg. of 2,6,10, 14,l9,23,27,3I-octamethyl 2,31 dimethoxy-dotriaconta- 4,6,8,10,12,14,16,18,20,22,24,26,28 tridecaen-3,30-dione [manufactured analogously to Example 5] are dissolved in 5 ml. of water and added towards the end of the cooking process or during the subsequent processing of 1 kg. of bon-bon composition and homogeneously worked in.

EXAMPLE I 9 Manufacture of carbonic acid-containing cassis-colored refreshing drinks 4 g. of color-preparation containing 40 mg. of 2,6,10, 14,19,23,27,31-octamethyl 2,31 dimethoxy-dotriaconta- 4,6,8,10,12,14,16,18,20,22,24,26,28 tridecaen-3,30-dione [manufactured analogously to Example 5] are dissolved in 20 ml. of warm water and homogenized with 100 g. of sugar syrup. After the addition of citric acid and aroma materials, the colored solution is diluted to 10 liters with carbonic acid-containing water and filled into bottles having stirrup-closures.

EXAMPLE. 10

Manufacture of violet-brownish colored suppositories 100 g. of suppository composition are heated with 100 mg. of crystallized 2,6,10,14,19 ,23,27,31 octamethyl-Z, 31 dimethoxydotriaconta f 4,6,$ ,10,12,14,16,18,20,22,

24,26,28 tridecaen 3,30 dione up'to the complete solution of the pigment, a-Tocopherol, BHT, BHA, gallates etc. can be admixed as antioxidants. After Working in the active material, the violet fatty composition is poured into the usual molds and allowed to cool.

EXAMPLE 11 Manufacture of violet-colored gelatin capsules solution consisting of 650 g. of gelatin, 50 g. of glycerine (which can also be partially replaced by sorbitol or other carbohydrates) and 800 g. of water. The gelatin capsules are manufactured in the usual manner from this gelatin solution according to the immersion or pressing process.

EXAMPLE 12 Manufacture of raspberry-red syrups and confectionery Per kg. of syrup or confectionery, 2 g. of color-preparation containing 20 mg. of 2,6,10,14,19,23,27,31-octamethyl 2,31 dimethoxy-dotriaconta 4,6,8,10,12,14,16, 18,20,22,24,26,28 tridecaen 3,30 dione [manufactured analoguously to Example are dissolved warm in 5 ml. of water and added to the syrup or confectionery composition towards the end of the thickening process.

EXAMPLE 13 Manufacture of Bordeaux-red gelatin foods 2 g. of color-preparation containing mg. of 2,6,10, 14,l9,23,27,3 l-octamethyl 2,31 dimethoxy-dotriaconta- 4,6,8,10,12,14,16,18,20,22,24,26,28 tridecaen-3,30-dione [manufactured analogously to Example 5] are dissolved in 6 ml. of warm water and stirred into 1 liter of the warm, liquid gelatin solution consisting of the usual ingredients. The solution is poured into molds and allowed to cool.

EXAMPLE 14 Manufacture of a weakly violet-colored daytime cream Manufacture of a raspberry-colored pudding composition 2 g. of color-preparation containing 20 mg. of 2,6,10, 14,19,23,27,3l-octamethyl 2,31 dimethoxy-dotriaconta- 4,6,8,10,12,14,16,18,20,22,24,26,28 tridecaen-3,30-dione [manufactured analogously to Example 5] are admixed with the pudding powder sufiicient for 1 liter of completely prepared pudding and [the mixture] further processed as usual by stirring or boiling up with milk.

EXAMPLE 16 Manufacture of Bordeaux-red colored yogurt 2 g. of color-preparation containing 20 mg. of 2,6,10, 14,l9,23,27,3l-octamethyl 2,31 dimethoxy-dotriaconta- 4,6,8,10,12,14,16,l8,20,22,24,26,28 tridecaen-3,30-dione [manufactured analogously to Example 5] are dissolved warm in 5 m1. of water, mixed with 1 liter of milk and [the mixture] processed in the usual manner to [give] yogurt.

10 Y EXAMPLE 17 0 Manufacture of a Bordeaux-red marzipan composition 10 mg. of crystalline 2,6,10,l4,l9,23,27,3l-octamethyl 2,3l-dirnethoxy dotriaconta-4,6,8,10,12,14,16,18,20,22, 24,26,28-tridecaen-3,30-dione are dissolved hot in .10 g. of almond oil, and, While still warm, worked into 1 kg. of marzipan composition manually or by machine. The marzipan composition can, if desired, also be colored with a water-soluble pigment preparation which, dissolved in a little water, is admixed with the marzipan composition.

EXAMPLE 18 Manufacture of a pale Bordeaux-red colored toothpaste 0.5 g. of pigment powder containing 5 mg. of 2,6,10,14, 19,23,27,31-octamethyl -2,31 dimethoxy-doctriaconta- 4,6,8,10,12,14,16,l8,20,22,24,26,28-tridecaen g 3,30 dione [manufactured analogously to Example 5] are dissolved in 2 ml. of water and homogeneously worked into g. of white toothpaste of the usual composition. The same pigment preparation can also be added, if desired, to the raw materials which are dissolved in water or converted into a paste with water.

We claim:

1. A composition comprising a material selected from the group consisting of foodstutfs, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics having incorporated therein, as a coloring agent, between .0000001 part by weight and 0.1 part by weight of a compound having the formula:

wherein R is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and a lower alkyl group and A is -CEC-.

2. The composition of claim 1 wherein said compound is 2,6,l0,l4,l9,23,27,31 octamethyl 2,3l-dimethoxydotriaconta 4,6,8,10,12,14,18,20,22,24,26,28 dodecaen- 16-yne-3,30-dione.

3. The composition of claim 1 wherein said compound is 2,6,l0,14,19,23,27,3l-octamethyl 2,31 dihydroxydotriaconta 4,6,8,10,l2,l4,18,20,24,26,28 dodecaen- 16-yne-3,30-dione.

4. A dry composition for coloring materials having a low fat content comprising a coloring amount of a polyene compound having the formula:

Owi p0 

